PdxMan

Well, as a card carrying member of a 12 step program that address such concerns, I know that for me alchohol was what I used to medicate my underlying issues. Alchohol wasn't my problem, it was my solution. It worked ... until it didn't. This can also be true of people who use food to comfort. Once it can no longer be abused the way it used to, people will search for something else and that sometimes is alchohol. Definately a deeper discussion ... It isn't quite as simple as I laid it out and I can only speak from my own experience.

So, when I was in my pre-op with my surgeon, he was telling me about this whole hunger thing. He basically said with a large majority of the gherlin hormone producing tissue removed, I would have to listen for my body's queues regarding hunger. True hunger. There is a lot of eating which occurs out of habit, but then there is supplying what the body needs. What may seem like a craving or hunger post-sleeve, may be the way your body is trying to tell you it needs something. A Vitamin, mineral, Protein, fat, carb ... you get the idea. We have been so out of tune with this as we were all purpose, quantity eaters, that most of the time, through sheer volume, we were able to masks this. But now, we are eating, let's just say ... 1,000 calories. There is almost no way for me to eat a well balanced meal in one sitting. I just don't have that capacity. So, thoughout the day, I need to ensure I am eating a balance of foods which gives me everything my body needs. As I have been using recently as an example, let's say your body needs some Calcium. You are going to receive a signal that you are hungry ... a craving, let's call it. "Hey you! I need to do some repairs over here in section #653-32 on your body and could really use some calcium." So, you get this craving which would be satisfied by eating some cheese or some broccolli or some other calcium rich food. But you just don't have the practice, yet, of interpretting these signals, so you go and eat some deli turkey or a peach or some steak or ... not a food with enough calcium to satisfy your body's needs. So what does your body do? "EXCUSE ME!! I THOUGHT I LET YOU KNOW I NEED SOME CALCIUM!!!" You just ate not too long ago, but you are still hungry. WTF? So, the bottom line is at the end of the day, we need to be eating a balance of foods which will supply our body with what it needs to function. Do this and your hunger may be staved.

I started on the elliptical 1 month prior to surgery. I got to where I could go 30 minutes or so non-stop. The point was to get my endurance up, not lose weight. It has been shared with me by a more than a few folks that people with higher endurance tend to recover faster. I was all about recovering quickly, so I tried it. I believe it had a lot to do with my speedy, complication free recovery. I was sleeved on a Friday and back to work on Wednesday. I believe I had a very smooth, easy recovery. Also, I've never heard of anyone who regretted beginning a workout program. Are there any drawbacks to starting now?

BTW, I don't struggle at all with maintenance. This is all through the foods I eat. I had two back surgeries in the last 5 months and have basically stopped all exercise for the last 8 months due to a blown disc in L4/L5. When I dropped my exercise, I dropped my calories. I was at about 2,200 calories when I was exercising rigorously and now I am around 1,600 ... I would guess as I no longer track. I have found the balance that works for me. I eat nutritious, well balanced meals. I don't have food cravings and I cheat like a M/F at times. Had me a big bowl of ice cream the other night. Same size as pre-sleeve. Ate the whole thing, no problem. I'm hoping to be back in exercise form once I finish my physical therapy in another 6 weeks or so and at that time, I'm sure I will be upping my calories again. I try to get out there and post my experience, strength and hope as much as I can. I have learned a lot from here and continue to research nutritional information and share what I learn. I feel like we all were rescued from a sinking ship. I want to pull out as many people from the freezing Water as I can. I'm glad to see you are back. Why did you leave? Was it for the reasons you stated?

Huh? I'm not sure if this is tongue in cheek or what ... Uh ... you're pregnant. Did you really want to NOT gain weight? Did you really expect to not gain when you are pregnant? IMO, people leave the site because they get tired of the high school, petty misunderstandings. I used to be the target of many attacks, if you may remember. There is so much drama on here. I know I have to take breaks from time to time. I have learned how to navigate the land-mines here. But I am a member of a 12 step program that teaches me to carry my experience, strength and hope to others struggling. In the process, it causes me to struggle at times, for sure. Congrats on your pregnancy AND congrats on your weight gain. Seriously ... you're pregnant ...

Wow! Congrats! You look amazing. God can move mountains ... but bring a shovel.

So, I'm 20 months post-op and I can only eat half of a 6 inch Subway sandwich, with the bread. I'll eat the other half a couple hours later. I would ask your surgeon the size of bougie they used. This will determine the diameter of your stomach. Some folks have longer stomachs, so two people with the same size bougie may not have the same capacity. There are many studies out there suggesting the bougie size doesn't impact the results that much, which I agree with when we are discussing the difference between a 32f and a 40f. But older standards suggested using 60f and 80f. My be something to have a discussion with your surgeon about.

I hope I'm not alone here, but weighing once a month, I never saw a platau. I'm sure I had them, but I was afraid I would get discouraged if I saw a stall or any weight gain. I knew this journey wasn't going to be a straight line from start to goal, but have ups, downs and plataus, so I didn't weigh very often. So, I never saw stalls, plataus or increases. I was always encouraged. May have had something to do with my success, as I never did feel discouraged and was able to stay motivated with my exercise and eating habits. Option isn't available on the poll, so I couldn't answer ...

The only thing she will let me do is swim. Staring at tiles makes me crazy ... It has to do with the whole hip rotation thing. The muscles right along the lower spine at this point have just begun to start firing. At this point, part of my PT is to lay on my back with my legs bent slowly swaying side to side. 10 minutes of that kicks my butt. It's ridiculous, but I just keep doing what I can to get back at it. I'll get there, but just like eating post-VSG, I have to progress slowly.

Yay! I talked to my physical therapist yesterday when she thought I would be able to get back in the game. She said end of April ... oye I curse at every runner out there when I drive to work. I know ... I'm terrible.

Why? Corn syrup isn't bad ... From what I understand, people just don't understand this is another "sugar", so, when they look at ingredient lables, they don't realize the true amount of sugar in something. Corn syrup is just as natural occuring as sugar. No better or worse than sugar. Just like everything, know what you are taking in and everything in moderation.

I absoutely love your response. I just recently posted on another thread the importance of just being honest and forthright with what you are feeling. With what is going on inbetween your ears. Now, you don't have to guess where they are coming from and they don't have to guess either. You have set expectations and everyone know what they are. As I posted before, it amazes me how we can't share come of the biggest things that occupy space in our brains and expect our partners to know what is going on. Keep this attitude all through your relationships and (one day) marriage.

I don't want a closed forum, either. All should be able to read, but posting is another thing ...

And Miss Laura is sporting a new avatar ... nice. But no pics in the gallery ... time to join the site, Laura.

Love your attitude, Frank. Congrats!

I have been under 3 times since my VSG. Not a problem. As Amazon points out, having a smaller stomach is completely unrelated. If anything, it actually helps the anesthesiologist know that you have been put under before. That is the biggest factor they worry about. Putting someone under who has never been under before.

I don't think anybody is upset ... are you picking that up somewhere?

Yeah, that was my story, too. I went to Las Vegas (baby!) for $10,400. 2 years ago, I was quoted $35K for Emma Patterson ... crazy ...

It sounds like you are doing everything right, for sure. Your body may need some more liquids, though, if you are working out hard, expending liquids, yet are consistently having constipation issues. Perhaps add some chia seeds to the diet? I have heard wonderful things from folks who use them about keeping them regular.

... waiting ...

Pick up one of these

Sounds to me like you know exactly what you need to do ... try the Nike approach ...

I'm just thinking about the swimming thing. I was told 6 - 8 weeks ... unless you're OK with not swimming the ENTIRE time you are in the Caribbean ...

Stop comparing yourself. You are not like others. Listen to your NUT and your body. Eat a well balanced meal.